HIGH VOLTAGE CENTER BREAK DISCONNECT SWITCH WITH TOGGLE DRIVE LOCKING MECHANISM

Abstract

A high voltage center break disconnect switch with two rotatable switch blades each operatively attached to a respective rotatable insulator for opening and closing the switch. A toggle locking drive assembly including a two-sided lever having three pivot points colinearly aligned thereon and two drive links each connected at one end thereof to one of the three pivot points. The two-sided lever connects at the third pivot point to a perpendicularly attached rotating shaft operatively connected to a drive pipe for opening and closing the switch. The drive links are each connected at the other end to a pivot point of a respective one of two levers each operatively mounted to one of the rotatable insulators. When the switch is in the closed position the five pivot points of the locking toggle drive assembly are aligned colinearly in a toggle lock position preventing the switch from unintended opening.

Claims

1. A high voltage center break disconnect switch comprising: two cylindrically-shaped insulators mounted perpendicularly in operative arrangement on an elongated longitudinal beam, both of the perpendicular cylindrically-shaped insulators being rotatable axially; a switch blade assembly including a first rotatable switch blade at a proximal end thereof operatively mounted to a top of a first of the two rotatable perpendicular cylindrically-shaped insulators, a second rotatable switch blade at a proximal end thereof operatively mounted to a top of a second of the two rotatable perpendicular cylindrically-shaped insulators, the two rotatable switch blades in operative arrangement for electrically opening and closing the switch, the first rotatable switch blade having operatively attached thereto at a distal end thereof a blade tip, the second rotatable switch blade having operatively attached thereto at a distal end thereof a break-jaw assembly, in a closed position of the center break switch the blade tip and the break-jaw assembly operatively arranged for an electrically conductive contacting relationship; a toggle locking drive assembly comprising: a two-sided lever having three pivot points, the two-sided lever rotatably mounted in parallel relationship with respect to the elongated longitudinal beam in the electrically closed switch position, the two-sided lever having a first pivot point positioned at a center of rotation of the two-sided lever and having two outer pivot points including a second pivot point operatively positioned in spaced relationship from the first pivot point on one side of the two-sided lever and a third pivot point operatively positioned in spaced relationship from the first pivot point on a second side of the two-sided lever, the first pivot point and the second pivot point and the third pivot point arranged in collinear alignment on the two-sided lever, a rotating shaft member operatively attached to the two-sided lever at the first pivot point and in perpendicular arrangement with respect to the two-sided lever, a mounting bracket assembly attached to the elongated longitudinal beam in predetermined position for supporting the rotating shaft member beam midway between the first cylindrically-shaped insulator and the second cylindrically-shaped insulator, the mounting bracket assembly in operative attachment and supportive relationship with the rotating shaft member, a drive pipe lever in operative attachment with the rotating shaft member and one end of a drive pipe, a prime mover in operative arrangement with the other end of the drive pipe for causing an intended rotation of the two-sided lever to open and close the center break switch, two oppositely disposed drive links including a first drive link at one end thereof in operative engagement with the two-sided lever at the second pivot point and a second drive link at one end thereof in operative engagement with the two-sided lever at the third pivot point, the first drive link in operative engagement at the other end thereof with a first rotating insulator lever at a fourth pivot point of the first rotating insulator lever, the first rotating insulator lever operatively attached at a bottom of the first insulator, the second drive link in operative engagement at the other end thereof with a second rotating insulator lever at a fifth pivot point of the second rotating insulator lever, the second rotating lever operatively attached at a bottom of the second insulator, the center break switch having a toggle lock position in the electrically conductive closed position wherein the first pivot point, the second pivot point, the third pivot point, the fourth pivot point and the fifth pivot point of the toggle locking drive assembly are aligned colinearly for keeping the center break switch from opening from seismic, magnetic or other environmental forces exerted on the first rotatable switch blade and the second rotatable switch blade.

2. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 1, wherein the first pivot point of the two-sided lever is operatively positioned midway between longitudinal axes of the first perpendicular cylindrically-shaped insulator and the second perpendicular cylindrically-shaped insulator.

3. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket assembly includes at least two mounting brackets.

4. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 3, wherein the at least two mounting brackets have bearings in supportive relationship with the rotating shaft member.

5. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 4, wherein the rotating shaft member is operatively attached to the mounting bracket assembly by the bearings.

6. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 1, wherein the rotating shaft member is operatively arranged in spaced relationship by the mounting bracket assembly offset to one side of the longitudinal beam.

7. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 1, wherein the first drive link and the second drive link are of about equal length.

8. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 1, wherein the first rotating insulator lever and the second rotating insulator lever are arranged on the same side of the longitudinal beam.

9. The high voltage center break disconnect switch of claim 1, wherein the first rotatable cylindrically-shaped insulator and the second rotatable cylindrically shaped insulator rotate in opposing directions as the center break switch operates.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] For a better understanding of the invention reference may be made to the accompanying drawings exemplary of the invention, in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art high voltage center break switch;

[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the high voltage center break switch of the present invention in the electrically closed position; and,

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the high voltage center break switch of the present invention in the electrically open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1 showing the prior art, a high voltage center break disconnect switch 10 in the electrically closed position and also in the electrically opened position, indicated by the curved arrows with dashed lines, is shown. The switch 10 includes an elongated longitudinal base member or beam 12 having a top surface 12a with two perpendicularly mounted post-type rotatable cylindrically-shaped insulators 13a and 13b operatively attached thereto. The switch 10 includes a switch blade assembly 14 including two oppositely disposed rotatable switch blades 15a, 15b respectively operatively mounted proximate the tops 18a, 18b of the rotatable insulators 13a, 13b. The post-type rotatable insulators 13a, 13b are rotatable and can be driven by a prime mover 17, indicated by a rectangular box, such as an electric motor with controls or a manual geared hand crank assembly having a prime mover drive shaft, as well known in the art. The prime mover 17 when required causes the drive pipe 16 to exert force to rotate the rotatable insulators 13a, 13b to open and close the switch 10.

[0021] A first line-terminal stationary connection 20a is supported by the top 18a of the first post-type rotatable cylindrically-shaped insulator 13a. A second line-terminal stationary connection 20b is supported by the top 18b of the second post-type rotatable cylindrically-shaped insulator 13b. The first rotatable switch blade 15a at its proximal end 22a is in operative electrical circuit relationship with the first line terminal stationary connection 20a connecting to a power line, not shown in the drawings. The second rotatable switch blade 15b at its proximal end 24a is in operative electrical circuit relationship with the second line terminal stationary connection 20b connecting to a power line, not shown in the drawings. The first rotatable switch blade 15a at its distal end 22b includes a blade tip 26, as can be seen in the open dashed line position. The second rotatable switch blade 15b at its distal end 24b includes a break-jaw contact assembly 28, as can be seen in the open dashed line position. The switch blade tip 26 for contacting the break-jaw contact assembly 28, when the switch 10 is in the electrically closed position, is shown in FIG. 1. The elongated switch blades 15a, 15b are pivotally mounted at their respective proximal end 22a, 24a to respective first and second pivot hinge assemblies 30a, 30b, which are each mounted to the respective tops 18a, 18b of the rotatable insulators 13a, 13b for electrically opening and closing the switch blades 15a, 15b of the high voltage center break disconnect switch 10. The general details of this arrangement are apparent by reference to FIG. 1. The elongated switch blades 15a, 15b may be square tubular, for example. The high voltage break disconnect switch 10 may also include ice shields 27 and corona rings 29 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the two rotatable post-type perpendicular cylindrically-shaped insulators 13a, 13b are capable of pivotal operative motion about their respective longitudinal axes ‘L1’, ‘L2’, as shown by the respective arrows for driving open the switch blades 15a, 15b.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the prior art arrangement for mechanically interconnecting the operation of the switch blades 15a, 15b includes a single link 32 having a cylindrical cross-section operatively attached by clamp brackets 46 at opposite ends 34a, 34b of the single link 32 to respective connection pivot points 38a, 38b of respective levers 36a, 36b. The respective levers 36a, 36b are operatively mounted proximate the bottom 40a, 40b of the respective post-type cylindrically shaped insulator 13a, 13b and extend on opposite sides of the elongated base member 12 in the switch closed position, as shown in FIG. 1. Also, a drive pipe lever 42 is operatively mounted at the bottom 40b of the second post-type cylindrically shaped insulator 13b. The drive pipe 16 is operatively connected to a drive pipe lever connection pivot point 44 of the drive pipe lever 42. The single link 32 has two clamp brackets 46 operatively attached. The drive pipe 16 has one clamp bracket 46 operatively attached. Each clamp bracket 46 includes apertures that align with an aperture in the respective levers 36a, 36b, and 42, not shown in detail in the drawings, for receiving a pivot bolt 50 as the connection pivot point which may engage a nut, not shown in the drawings, for securing the single link 32 and the drive pipe 16. When the drive pipe 16 is advanced to open the switch 10, it causes the drive pipe lever 42 to rotate insulator 13b, which in turn causes second lever 36b and single link 32 connected between the two post-type cylindrically shaped insulators 13a, 13b to rotate insulator 13a via first lever 36a as shown in FIG. 1 to rotate the insulators in opposite directions. This rotation to open the center break switch 10 causes the first switch blade 15a and the second switch blade 15b to rotate to a predetermined angle, such as 90 degrees as shown in FIG. 1, to the electrically open non-conductive position. The drive pipe 16 is moved in a reverse manner to electrically close the switch 10.

[0024] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the center break disconnect switch with a toggle locking drive mechanism 51 of the present invention is shown which eliminates the unintended opening problem mentioned with the prior art center break disconnect switch. Like numerals are used in FIGS. 2 and 3 as described for FIG. 1 for the prior art center break switch for like parts. The blade components of the center break disconnect switch 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 attached to the top 18a of the first post-type rotatable cylindrically shaped insulator 13a and the top 18b of the second post-type rotatable cylindrically shaped insulator 13b are the same and have the same function as already described for the prior art center break switch depicted in FIG. 1. The toggle locking drive mechanism 51 of this embodiment of the present invention includes a two-sided lever 52, drive links 56a, 56b, clamp brackets 46, pivot bolts 50 and first and second levers 36a, 36b. FIG. 2 shows first lever 36a connected to drive link 56a by one of the clamp brackets 46 and a pivot bolt 50 passing through apertures in the clamp bracket 46 and the first lever 36a, the apertures not shown, at a first pivot point ‘A’. Drive link 56a is also connected to the two-sided lever 52 by another of the clamp brackets 46 and a pivot bolt 50 passing through apertures in the clamp bracket 46 and the two-sided lever 52, the apertures not shown, at a second pivot point ‘B’. Drive link 56b is connected to lever 36b by another of the clamp brackets 46 and a pivot bolt 50 passing through apertures in the clamp bracket 46 and the lever 36b, the apertures not shown, at a fifth pivot point ‘E’. Drive link 56b is also connected to the two-sided lever 52 by another of the clamp brackets 46 and a pivot bolt 50 passing through apertures in the clamp bracket 46 and the two-sided lever 52, the apertures not shown, at a fourth pivot point ‘D’. The first and second levers 36a and 36b are rotatably mounted under the respective insulator 13a, 13b on the same side of the elongated base member 12 in the switch electrically closed position as shown in FIG. 2. This arrangement is necessary to have the insulators rotate in opposing directions as the center break switch operates as shown in FIG. 3.

[0025] The two-sided lever 52 is mounted near the top of a rotating shaft member pivot 54 by welding, for example. The rotating shaft member pivot 54 with the attached two-sided lever 52 is supported by an upper bracket 58a and a lower bracket 58b attached to the elongated longitudinal base member or beam 12 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An upper bearing 60a operatively supports the rotating shaft member pivot 54 in the upper bracket 58a and a lower bearing 60b operatively supports the rotating shaft member 54 in the lower bracket 58b. The upper bearing 60a and the lower bearing 60b may be chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC) bearings. In this embodiment the beam 12 is shown as an elongated box beam, but could instead be an elongated flange-type beam, for example, without departing from the scope of the invention. The upper bracket 58a is attached to the top surface 12a of the beam 12, by bolts, or by welding not shown in the drawings. The lower bracket 58b is attached to the bottom surface 12b of the beam 12, by bolts or welding, not shown in the drawings. The two-sided lever 52 at the third pivot point ‘C’, which is at the center of rotation of the two-sided lever 52, is positioned equidistant and midway between the two rotating insulators 13a, 13b, i.e., midway between ‘L1’ and ‘L2’, but offset to one side away from the beam 12 as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The offset is determined by points ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ and ‘E’ being in a straight line, as shown in FIG. 2, in the electrically closed switch position. The rotating shaft member pivot 54 is connected perpendicularly to the two-sided lever 52 at the third pivot point ‘C’ as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, parallel to ‘L1’ and ‘L2’. A drive pipe lever 42 is attached to the rotating shaft member pivot 54 to which the drive pipe 16 is connected. The drive pipe 16 is operatively connected to drive pipe lever connection pivot point 44 of the drive pipe lever 42 by one of the clamp brackets 46 and a pivot bolt 50, in a similar manner as already described regarding the attachment of the first drive link 56a and the second drive link 56b to the respective clamp brackets 46.

[0026] To fully close the switch 10 the two-sided lever 52 as shown in FIG. 2 is rotated by the drive pipe 16 to the position shown so that first pivot point ‘A’, second pivot point ‘B’, third pivot point ‘C’, fourth pivot point ‘D’, and fifth pivot point ‘E’ are exactly in a straight line, which is the locked toggle position, which position locks the insulators 13a and 13b from rotating in the closed switch position. Only if the drive pipe 16 exerts a force imparted by a prime mover 17 to rotate shaft member pivot 54 counter clockwise will the locked toggle position be unlocked as the pivot points ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, and ‘E’ are no longer in exact alignment. FIG. 3 shows the switch completely open due to the shaft 54 rotating 90 degrees and the pivot points ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’, and ‘E’ are no longer in exact alignment.

[0027] With the present invention, each pole of a three pole switch, not shown in the drawings, has this toggle drive locking mechanism 51 which keeps the switch blades 15a, 15b from opening a small amount and thereby prevents contact arcing during short circuit duty or seismic duty which delivers forces to move the switch blades open. Thus, any force that the switch blades 15a, 15b are subjected to, due to a seismic, short circuit magnetic conditions or other environmental condition will not translate that force back to the drive pipe or interphase pipe between phases, because of the toggle lock mechanism 51 in the closed switch position, which essentially permits no torque or very little torque about the connection pivot point ‘C’. The present invention has significant implications for high voltage center break switches that have longer and heavier blades that impart a greater force to operate same. The force from the blades would be contained to the pole unit of each phase.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0028] 10 center break disconnect switch [0029] 12 elongated longitudinal base member or beam [0030] 12a top surface of beam 12 [0031] 12b bottom surface of beam 12 [0032] 13a first post-type rotatable cylindrically shaped insulator [0033] 13b second post-type rotatable cylindrically shaped insulator [0034] 14 switch blade assembly [0035] 15a first rotatable switch blade [0036] 15b second rotatable switch blade [0037] 16 drive pipe [0038] 17 prime mover [0039] 18a top of insulator 13a [0040] 18b top of insulator 13b [0041] 20a first line terminal stationary connection [0042] 20b second line terminal stationary connection [0043] 22a proximal end of blade 15a [0044] 22b distal end of blade 15a [0045] 24a proximal end of blade 15b [0046] 24b distal end of blade 15b [0047] 26 blade tip [0048] 27 ice shield [0049] 28 break-jaw assembly [0050] 29 corona ring [0051] 30a first pivot hinge assembly [0052] 30b second pivot hinge assembly [0053] 32 prior art single link [0054] 34a first opposite end of link 32 [0055] 34b second opposite end of link 32 [0056] 36a first lever [0057] 36b second lever [0058] 38a first connection point [0059] 38b second connection point [0060] 40a bottom of insulator 13a [0061] 40b top of insulator 13b [0062] 42 drive pipe lever [0063] 44 drive pipe lever connection pivot point [0064] 46 clamp bracket [0065] 50 bolt [0066] 51 toggle locking drive mechanism or assembly [0067] 52 two-sided lever [0068] 54 center rotating shaft member [0069] 56a first drive link [0070] 56b second drive link [0071] 58a upper bracket [0072] 58b lower bracket [0073] 60a upper bearing [0074] 60b lower bearing [0075] ‘L1’ longitudinal axis of 13a [0076] ‘L2’ longitudinal axis of 13b [0077] ‘A’ first pivot point [0078] ‘B’ second pivot point [0079] ‘C’ third pivot point [0080] ‘D’ fourth pivot point [0081] ‘E’ fifth pivot point

[0082] Of course variations from the foregoing embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.